Eligibility criteria

Required Criteria:

1. Applicants must be citizens of a country identified by AAOS as one of “greatest need” or with “limited resources”. The list of countries can be found at the program overview page
2. Applicants must be aged 45 years or younger as of December 1 of the scholarship year.
3. Applicants must have completed all basic and specialty orthopaedic training.
4. Applicants must possess good English language oral and written skills.
5. Applicants must be a member in good standing in a national or regional orthopaedic society/or international equivalent.
6. Applicants cannot be previous recipients of an AAOS international scholarship.
7. Applicants must be able to travel to the United States and have no visa restrictions or anticipate having any difficulty obtaining a US visa.
8. Applicants must complete an application, which includes the questionnaire and three short essay questions, as well as submission of Curriculum Vitae, two letter of recommendation* (Guidelines for Letters of Recommendation), and certificate of membership from a national or regional orthopaedic society/or international equivalent.

*While candidate selection is based on the merits of all information provided, the letters are ranked high in the review process.

Preferred applicant’s qualities - stronger consideration will be given to candidates who:

1. Possess leadership qualities and will be able to return home to disseminate educational information/content obtained through his/her participation in the scholarship program.
2. Who have not received three months or more of “Formal Training” (for instance, attended Medical School, participated in internships, fellowships, or residency programs) in the United States, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.

Both items listed above can be demonstrated through comprehensively answering various questions on the application and within your submitted essays.